In an age of Bollywood where actresses often stop getting work after their prime years, Deepika Padukone continues to cast her magic over the industry nearly 20 years since her debut.
When we look at other actresses who debuted around the same time, be it Katrina Kaif, Kangana Ranaut, or even Sonam Kapoor, none of them are being offered the kind of big-budget projects that Deepika still commands.
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Many of her fans on social media attribute this to her undeniable on-screen charm, which is certainly a factor. Her acting skills have only improved over the years, and while her performances in films like Padmaavat or Bajirao Mastani may not be considered iconic by all, they remain unforgettable to many.
She continues to be the highest-paid actress in her late 30s.
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But is the hype around Deepika solely because of her talent and body of work or is there more to the story?
Some social media users suggest that Deepika’s sustained popularity is also due to a strong and strategic PR presence. They argue that the aura she exudes on social media is a carefully curated image maintained by her team.
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They also claim that her public image doesn’t necessarily translate into box office pull.
When analyzing some of Deepika’s biggest films, critics argue that she’s rarely the sole reason tickets sell. More often than not, it’s the star power of her co-actors that drives the initial draw, with Deepika being a contributing, but not central, factor.
In light of the recent fallout between Deepika and Sandeep Reddy Vanga, some have commented that her presence or absence in the film Spirit wouldn’t drastically affect its box office performance. With names like Vanga and Prabhas attached, the film’s commercial success is already on solid ground. While Deepika might have been a strong casting choice, her box office pull likely wouldn’t surpass that of the male leads.
While Deepika’s fans point to her participation in several international projects as justification for her high fee, others argue that an actor’s compensation in Indian cinema is ultimately based on their domestic box office draw, not global appearances.
As much as Bollywood is an industry of art, it’s equally one of business. Actors are paid based on their ability to bring audiences to theatres and nothing more. Critics say that before demanding equal pay, there also needs to be an honest assessment of an actor’s commercial value and the audience they attract.
